The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is now accepting applications through Oct. 19, 2017 for its Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP) for medical and dental students in their final year of school. As part of the program, selected applicants can receive up to $120,000 in loan repayment for a commitment to provide primary health care full time for at least three years, or part time for at least six years, at an approved NHSC site in a Health Professional Shortage Area of greatest need. Dentists who apply after graduation are eligible for up to $85,000 in loan repayment for a three-year commitment.

The NHSC anticipates making up to 167 S2S LRP awards in FY 2018. According to NHSC, it takes approximately three weeks for an applicant to complete an application accompanied with all required and supplemental documentation. Additional application and program guidance can be found here.

Impact on General Dentistry: In years past, the AGD advocated for dentists to be allowed to participate in the S2S program and was thus pleased to see the NHSC officially extend eligibility to dental students in 2017 and continue the practice for 2018.